Times Scare, New York City’s only year-round haunted attraction, just might be the ultimate Halloween experience. The ghostly frights, eerie bar, live shows and horror flicks attract thrill-seekers from all over the country.

Built in a 1920’s crematorium, Times Scare occupies one of the most haunted buildings in the nation. According to their website, “this state-of-the-art haunted house has been built in the same rooms which years ago were stalked by one of the east coast’s most notorious killers.” Rumor has it that the killer actually claimed the life of one of his victims here and that ghost continues to roam the rooms and corridors to this day.

The historic building conveys a hair-raising sensation of horror and intrigue, remnants of New York’s darker past. Today, this cutting-edge haunted experience takes you into a demented world replete with gore, startle scares, mental patients, chainsaws, zombies and psychotic clowns.

(Personally, I can handle everything but the clowns. WHO came up with idea that clowns are supposed to be funny?!)

image photo credit: JJ

Ticket prices are what you would expect to pay in the heart of New York. $27 for adults, $22 for children (although there is no minimum age, this experience isn’t recommended for anyone under 10 years old).

This terrifying venue has a lot more to offer than just thrills and heart-stopping frights, however. In fact, it’s probably advisable to work up a little liquid courage before heading into the Haunt.

The Kill Bar, with its ominous ambiance, offers a full bar service complete with Absinthe tastings. You can indulge in specialty cocktails like Death in the Afternoon, Dracula’s Kiss, Curse of the Screaming Druid, Corpse Reviver, or Shut Up and Swallow.

Be sure to arrive early and take advantage of the ‘unhappy’ hour specials until 8:00 pm. You can also enjoy Ladies Night every Wednesday, but beware: the kitchen is only open Friday and Saturday nights.

Halloween enthusiasts wanting the full experience can take advantage of the Haunt and Ghost Cocktail Combo. For $30 you can choose from The Phantom, Ghost Wearing White, or The Bogeyman to go with your haunted attraction ticket.

The definitive thrill-seeker can even partake in a Haunt and Absinthe tasting. You can try 3 samples of the anise (black licorice) flavored drink before experiencing the haunted attraction if you dare. Tickets for this combo deal are $35 per person, or $60 per couple.

No night out in New York City would be complete without a live show, and Times Scare has several spooktacular appearances for you to choose from.

The Atomic Café– The Gore in Horror is a new variety show featuring comic horror plays, musical acts, comics, and more. Performances run every Tuesday evening beginning at 8:00 pm, and are not suitable for anyone under the age of 18. You can grab a couple of Premium Priority Seating tickets, which include 2 drinks off the Kill Bar menu and a Times Scare gift, for $55.

Goon River promises to be a show unlike any you have seen before. The acclaimed comedy group, Face Off Unlimited, has created a theater experience inspired by the classic Spoon River Anthologies. “Completely improvised and performed in total darkness, Goon River is a unique journey into the imagination.”

Immersed in darkness, listeners are surrounded by the tales of wonder and woe being woven around them. At only $15 in advance ($20 at the door) tickets are amazingly affordable. Show times are Sundays at 2:00 pm.

If the haunted house, Absinthe tasting & pitch-black theater experience aren’t enough to scare you, there’s always Saturday night Scaryoke. Claimed to be the “craziest x-rated karaoke in the world,” you can sing your guts out with Shequida from season 3 of America’s Got Talent every Saturday night beginning at 10:00 pm.

You can also plan ahead and hit up one of the many special events, like Zombie Game Night at the Kill Bar or the Dead Sexy Burlesque Show.

In their own words, “whether you are braving the haunted house or just stopping by to grab a drink you won’t want to miss this unique venue on your next trip…we’re dying to serve you!”

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The Fairytale Traveler is a travel and lifestyle blog inspired by the greatest stories ever told. It follows the adventures of Christa and her son Gauge as they explore the world's magical, otherworldly and fairytale-like places, places that inspired great stories, film locations, historic sites, castles, and just about anything suited for princesses and princes. They love myth, legend and lore, books, film, and fandoms. Along with travel stories, travel tips, and travel guides, they feature product reviews, film reviews, and toy reviews. Their latest venture is sharing their story about their brand new home and all the projects and advice that comes along with it.